How to live a happy life in the light of Quran. ( Part 4)

:TURNING TO ALLAH IN SINCERE REPENTANCE : The word “taubah” in Arabic lite- rally means ‘ to turn’ .Taubah is a u-turn process, it means don’t go that way you were before.The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “the one who repents from sin is like the one who never sinned.” ……..(ibne maja,3240)

According to Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) nothing is more fav- orable to Allah(SWT) than a male or female repentant believer.

4. RELY ON ALLAH (TAWAKKAL): The Arabic word for trust (tawakkal) is from the root word ‘ wakal’which means giving up one’s affairs to someone and laying one’s trust upon him.This is tawakkal that we put our trust on Allah. But there is a misco- nception in some people’s minds that tawakkal means wait and watch and doing nothing.Its not correct. Reliance on Allah does not mean not working and striving for sustenance in this life. Reliance on Allah means to put one’s best efforts to do as Allah expects and leave the results on Allah’s will.

WHAT QURAN SAYS ABOUT TAWAKKAL: ‘Indeed I have relied upon Allah,my Lord and your Lord.There is no creature but that He holds its forelock.Indeed my Lord is on a path (that is ) straight.’ Surah alhud (11:56)

“And when you have decided ,then rely upon Allah .Indeed Allah loves those who rely upon Him.If Allah would aid you ,no one can over- come you; but if He would forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him?And upon Allah let the believers rely. Aal imran (3:159-160)

The believers are specifically informed in these verses that Allah is the Guardian over them .only supplicate to Him and ask Him for divine assistance.

Hadith: Hazrat Anus (razi Allah unha) reported that a person asked Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him),” should I tie my camel and have tawakkal(trust in Allah for her protection) or should I leave her untied and have tawakkal.Holy prophet (peace be upon him ) replied,”tie her and have tawakkal.” (Jami al-tirmizi)

Hazrat umer (razi Allah unha) reported that Holy prophet (peace be upon him )said:If only you relied on Allah, a true reliance ,He would provide sustenance for you just as He does for the birds.They fly out in the morning empty and return in the evening with full stomaches.”(Ibn e maja)

BENEFITS OF TAWAKKAL: / WAY OUT:

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him,He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).” (65:2)

“And He will provide them from ( sources ) they never could imagine.” (65:3)

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make their matters easy for them.” (65: 4)

“And whosoever fears Allah and keep their duty to Him,He will remit their sins from them and will enlarge their reward.” (65:5)

A story is told about a king and his close friend who used to live most of the time with the king.one day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition.It was duty of the friend to load and prepare guns for the king.The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns.When the king took the gun and fired his thumb was blown off.The friend looked at king’s hand and said, “this is good!Allah Almighty knows the best.” It was his habit to remark like that whether the situation is positive or negative.But king replied, no’ this is not good’ and ordered his soldiers to put his friend into jail.About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he would have known to stay clear off. Cannibals caught the king and took him to their village. They tied king’s hands and made him sit on some pieces of wood. As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb.Being superstitious, they never ate anyone who was less than whole.So after untying the king they set him free. When the king reached his palace he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and he felt remorse how he behaved with his friend.He went immediately to the jail to visit his friend.’you were right’ king said, “it was good that my thumb was blown off.”Then he told all the story to his friend. King said,”I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long.It was bad what I done with you.” ‘No’ friend replied,” this is good Allah Almighty knows the best.”

‘what do mean,is this good?’how could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?king argued.Friend answered,’remember that Allah Almighty knows the best and if I had not been in jail, I would have been with you on that hunting trip.”

“He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and to Allah go back all questions.” Surah al hajj (22 : 76 )

“Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best Disposer of affairs.” Surah al imran (3 :171 )

Everything that happens in our lives whether good or bad Allah knows the reality behind it. When we are confronted by circumstances that are not very pleasing we get depressed. We might not know the purpose behind it. It might turn out to be a good thing.Things only happen to us for a reason. When we are having trust i.e tawakkal on Allah , neither we get depressed nor go wrong side. Only trust on Almighty can give us the peace of mind and tranquility of heart. This tranquility develops when we face situations of discomfort and uncertainity. When we truly have tawakkal we get relaxed as we know there is Allah who will determine the results of all our affairs.Results are not in our hands and He is the greatest to support us in all our hardships and trials.As strong is our belief the better the results we would be able to have.As mentioned in Quran Allah loves those who rely on Him. (subhan Allah) Do all the efforts in solving your problems that you can and leave the results to Allah and accept His decree whatever it may be.The Almighty, the most High is the All Knowledgeable.